Dancing, singing — ‘big celebration’

This will be the last year the annual event will be held on the ranch grounds.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

COITSVILLE — Andy Baxter and his wife live in the Cleveland area, but spent Saturday and Sunday living in a tepee on the grounds of the Willow Ranch on South Hubbard Road.

The Baxters erected the 22-plus-foot-high and 26-foot-wide tepee as part of the annual Red Hawk American Indian Cultural Society Pow Wow. The Baxters offered tours inside the tepee and explained how it is constructed, while selling authentic Native American drums on the outside.

Darlene Bosela, Red Hawk president, said many people like the Baxters converge on the grounds of the ranch annually to sell merchandise, put items on display or enjoy the music and dancing that is a part of any Native American powwow.

Bosela said Native Americans would historically move from place to place searching for food and other necessities, but on a regular basis smaller groups would come together and conduct tribal business leading to the traditional powwow.

“They would always have their drums. Drums are the heartbeat of the Native American people and when you have drums, you have dancing and singing — so it’s like a big celebration,” she said.

Many participants moved to the center circle of the powwow, displaying various dances as part of the festivities.

Familiarity

Russ Moore of Butler, Pa., is very familiar with the celebratory atmosphere. He has been attending various powwows for more than eight years.

Moore, a military veteran who earned the Purple Heart, began attending powwows several years ago after meeting a Native American man during a visit to a traveling wall that pays honor to those who served in the Vietnam War.

“We just kind of clicked. So, I started doing my own research and found out that I too am Native American,” he said.

According to Moore, his grandmother, who was of Native American descent, was adopted and lost all records of her lineage.

Moore now attends powwows wearing his gray wolf headpiece. He said Native Americans believe all creatures have a spirit and teach people various lessons. The wolf, he said, can teach family values and trust.

“I honor the wolf because I very much consider myself of the wolf clan of the Mohawk tribe, and I dance to honor the wolf and the lessons it has taught us,” he said.

In a well-shaded section of the ranch grounds, under a large tree, Dolores Santha sat offering a different kind of lesson. Santha, 82, is a storyteller who travels to various powwows. She tells stories to those who gather at her feet in anticipation.

Santha moved to the Youngstown area in 1935 when she was about 10. She moved to St. Louis, Mo. a few years ago, but remembers growing up in the area. She said stories offered by Native American storytellers are just as important now as ever.

Quotable

“The idea is to pass these stories on. I want other people, Indians and non-Indians, to tell these stories. This is something that is truly important to keep going,” she said. “These were told for entertainment but also for moral and teaching purposes.”

Bosela said the Red Hawks have held a powwow at the South Hubbard Road location every year for the last 12 years, but the location for next year will change. She said the property owner died and the land is now up for sale. She said the group is hoping for a permanent location.

“We are actually looking for a more permanent powwow location with a Red Hawk center for educational purposes. We would do more Native American activities with a facility that is our own,” she said.

The powwow will continue until 6 tonight.

jgoodwin@vindy.com